Dubai Creek, located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
This river, often called the lifeline of Dubai, is widely known as a tourist attraction where people enjoy dinner cruises and table parties.
But today.
In the middle of the wide river, a super-luxury giga yacht the size of a cruise ship was gliding leisurely along the Dubai shoreline.
The yacht alone was worth approximately 600 billion won.
In terms of asset value, it was like a Premier League club such as Tottenham or Liverpool floating on the water.
Even more astonishing was that fewer than five people were on board.
The owners, as if from a dream, were none other than the family of the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates.
Full name Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
Commonly known as Mansour.
Not yet forty, a global businessman and Vice President of the UAE, he had shaken the football world two years earlier by purchasing Manchester City for 210 million pounds.
Even those uninterested in football knew of his immense influence. He was the largest shareholder of Barclays, the official sponsor of the English Premier League.
His impact extended beyond football into the global economy.
His elder brother was the President of the UAE, and he himself had served as chairman of the International Petroleum Investment Company.
The family fortune was estimated at around 1,000 trillion won.
His personally manageable assets were about 30 trillion won, which alone made him one of the most powerful figures in the EPL.
On the yacht with him were his second wife and their children.
Despite his busy schedule, he occasionally spent time like this with family. Today was one of those days.
The reason was the World Cup, which he loved to watch.
He sometimes used football as a political tool, but more than that, he genuinely loved the sport.
Especially today, a match he had eagerly anticipated was scheduled. He focused entirely on the television.
Even when his four-year-old son Mohammed spoke to him, he responded half-heartedly, then suddenly leapt to his feet.
It was the moment Korea scored.
"That's it."
A floor manager waiting outside entered gracefully, poured coffee, and left as if nothing had happened.
"Incredible."
Mansour clenched his fist, excitement surging, and downed his coffee in one gulp.
Mohammed, curious, asked innocently.
"Are you happy when Korea scores?"
"What do you mean, Mohammed?"
Mansour's intense gaze softened.
"I am not cheering for Korea. I am cheering for Ho-young."
A phenomenal performance.
Ho-young dribbling past six Argentina players and scoring alone was enough to send chills through Mansour.
It felt as if his hair stood on end.
I knew I was right.
Mansour had known of Ho-young for two years.
Back during the Beijing Olympics, Ho-young had not yet surpassed Lionel Messi in his eyes.
But now the situation had completely reversed.
Messi was nowhere to be seen.
It was unfortunate. Even with such immense talent, he was overshadowed by Ho-young's brilliance.
And it did not end there.
After the match ended 2-2 thanks to Ho-young's brace, Mansour immediately ordered his secretary to obtain Ho-young's contact details.
That was how he got Lucci's number.
"Dad, what are you doing?"
"I have work to do."
"Can't you play?"
"I have something important. Go play with your mother and sister."
He handed his son to an aide and called Lucci.
The tension on the other end was unmistakable.
No matter how composed someone might be, hearing his voice would be startling.
He was the Vice President of a nation, managing assets worth tens of trillions.
Moreover, he was not someone who personally contacted players. He funded transfers and issued directives.
The chairman and sporting director handled recruitment.
If he was calling directly, there was only one reason.
"I will sign Ho-young at any cost."
A bold declaration.
It was not a favorable expression in negotiation.
Yet saying it meant he was prepared to accept losses if necessary.
He was confident.
That was why he called without hesitation.
Lucci's voice came through.
"Is that so."
Calm on the surface, but trembling slightly.
"Thank you for calling directly. Allow me to formally introduce myself."
As the conversation began in earnest, Mansour spoke bluntly.
"When can I meet Ho-young? I would like to see him immediately after the World Cup. Please convey that."
"I understand. However, we must coordinate schedules with other clubs."
The buyout clause was fixed.
What remained were the proposals.
How much each club could offer Ho-young.
Mansour was supremely confident in that regard.
When he set his mind on something, he rarely gave up.
"I would like to spend this summer holiday with Ho-young. It will be a good time. I will arrange the flight. Give me word and I will have him picked up within an hour."
"I will discuss it with the player."
"I will prepare everything he desires."
Silence.
"Do not say something is impossible. If he wants it, I will make it possible."
"I understand. Thank you for the proposal. I will speak with him."
It was no bluff.
He knew AC Milan and Bayern Munich were making strong efforts, yet his confidence did not waver.
They have limits.
Ho-young was about to turn seventeen.
In Germany or Italy, he would still sign a youth contract with restricted wages.
In England, with a work permit, he could sign a professional deal under local labor laws.
It was time to demonstrate true wealth.
If he wanted a star, he would give him a star. If that was not enough, he would give him the sky.
For Mansour, a meticulous businessman and politician, Ho-young was worth that much.
The potential gains were enormous.
Moreover, Ho-young's release clause was only 22 million euro.
Even with additional costs, it was not a losing deal.
Above all, Mansour was a devoted fan.
He wanted to see Ho-young in his own club.
A club built by Ho-young, for Ho-young, centered on Ho-young.
That was all.
He would never give up.
Moses Mabhida Stadium, South Africa.
"Phew."
Lucci let out a low sigh after ending the call.
Though brief, it felt like walking on thin ice.
He was technically in the stronger position, but facing such a titan was nerve-wracking.
Ho-young would be stunned if he knew.
Lucci had expected contact from Manchester City, but not directly from Mansour.
He was unsure whether to be pleased.
Personally, he opposed a move to Manchester City.
As an agent, higher wages were welcome.
But he believed the drawbacks outweighed the benefits.
City were a Europa League side, not Champions League contenders.
More importantly, there was little there to foster Ho-young's growth.
Ho-young developed by experiencing elite players.
Manchester City did not offer that environment.
Ultimately, the choice was Ho-young's.
Lucci only worried he might choose poorly.
Soon, Ho-young emerged from the locker room with commentator Cha Bum-kun.
"Good work. It is not easy to play the full match."
"It was nothing. Everything alright?"
"Yes. Focus on the tournament."
Lucci stayed silent.
He did not want to burden Ho-young further.
There was time after the World Cup.
"Oh, and the T-shirts you requested will arrive before the round of 16."
"Thanks. You must be busy with the tournament and the transfer window."
"Not as busy as you."
"Hang in there. Once the season begins, things will settle."
Ho-young placed a hand on Lucci's shoulder.
Lucci's tense expression finally eased.
"Right. Clear your mind when you play. Watching you is enough to make me happy. Let's reach the quarterfinals."
"You sound more confident than I am."
"I guarantee it. Mexico are nothing special."
The round of 16 opponent had shifted from Uruguay to Mexico.
It was fortunate.
The quarterfinals seemed within reach.
The following day, the remaining group matches concluded.
In Group C, the United States defeated Algeria to finish first.
Good news for Korea.
In Group D, Germany beat Ghana, sending Ghana through as runners-up.
The United States and Ghana would meet in the round of 16.
If Korea reached the quarterfinals, they would face one of those two.
Korea erupted in excitement.
[We are going to the quarterfinals.]
Reply: Are you underestimating the US and Ghana?
Reply: You are underestimating Mexico.
Reply: You are underestimating Ho-young. Did you not see the 65-meter run?
Reply: How are his knees still intact?
Reply: He passes every doping test.
Reply: Register him as intangible cultural heritage.
Reply: Ho-young cultural heritage.
As expectations rose, the remaining groups concluded.
Netherlands and Japan advanced from Group E.
Paraguay and Slovakia from Group F.
Brazil and Portugal from Group G.
Switzerland and Spain from Group H.
The round of 16 was set.
[2010 South Africa World Cup Round of 16]
Mexico vs Korea
United States vs Ghana
Netherlands vs Slovakia
Brazil vs Spain
Argentina vs Uruguay
Germany vs France
Paraguay vs Japan
Switzerland vs Portugal
Many bookmakers predicted a Spain versus Germany final.
On paper, it seemed most likely.
And.
[Korea and Uruguay ranked first and second as dark horses.]
The opening match of the round of 16, Mexico versus Korea, was fast approaching.
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
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